LeBron James decides to stay with Lakers on new contract

LeBron James, the four-time NBA champion, intends to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Despite this, James is expected to stay with the Lakers on a new deal. The focus on whether James will become a free agent for the fourth time in his career is tempered by the fact that the Lakers recently selected his son, Bronny James, in the second round of the NBA draft.

Reports from The Athletic, ESPN, and CBS Sports indicate that James will opt out of his $51.4 million player option for the next season.

BREAKING: LeBron James may be willing to take a pay cut with the Lakers to allow them to use their full MLE in free agency, per @ChrisBHaynes.

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This move would make him a free agent and eligible to sign a maximum three-year deal with the Lakers worth approximately $160 million. Such a deal would likely include a no-trade clause, ensuring that the 39-year-old James would either retire as a Laker or have control over his next career move.